The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-17

hrucle Is 10 appear, that We show signs OF
resistance. This, however, very rarely
occurs. We are proud of our small army
of correspondents and contributors, and
are constantly under obligations for
their faithful services. The UNIVERSE
LIST delights in the brief articles and
items of news that come in regularly
every week for the church columns. How
could we get along without theml These
are furnished now by larger number
than ever before; not only do the pastors
favor us, but in many parishes we have
young men and women, and old men and
women also,-the UNCONVENTIONAL and
household saints, at this work. Then
our special contributors are always relia-
BILE and furnish us many admirable arti-
Giles. We are also under obligation to
those who furnish volunteer articles, and
to those who send us sermons. All things
considered The UNIvERsALIsT has an ex.
cellent staff, and we are proud of it. Our
writer's do splendid service for the paper
and the church through the paper. The
moral of it all is that comparatively few of
the regulation trials of an editor fall to
our share; and amid our toll and work
we are made serene in the consideration
suggested by our sister, that we are doing
our own little share of good in the world,
and that THE UNIvERsALIsT is becoming
more widely known and appreciated with
every passing week. We now let Mrs.
Billings speak her piece" for which we
know our audience will second our vote
of thanks.
An Editors Trials and Vacations.
Are they not legion? Who that has cor.
rect idea of what this much abused and long
suffering class have to endure, could have
the heart to pile one more straw upon the
breaking back of this public servant this
benefactor? Yet how many times we do it,
thoughtlessly, ignorantly; sometimes even
from excess of kindness, until in view of the
latter sort of infiiction the prayer of the con-
scientious editor is "Save me from my
friends!'
What long drawn-out articles are sent to
him upon short subjects! What slipshod
composition, bad spelling, worse punctua-
ton and obscure copy, much of the latter
that as the saying is, "would puzzle law.
yer to find OUT" lawyers, of all other pro.
fessionals, being supposed to revel in such
abominably cabalistic chirography Then
there Is the wrath and vexation of would-b
contributors, or of those whose articles are
cut down to fit column or an idea 1t i:
one of the human aspects of this latter evi
with which an editors life is tormented, thai
a small thought born to an author is suppos
ed to deserve an immense amount of fine
clothing, on the principle of fond parents
furnishing an extensive wardrobe for the
first baby! Hardest strain, perhaps, of all fol-
the editor, if he is of a sensitive nature an6
has gentle women of his own household, il
the rejection of manuscript accompanied by
pretty little notes from young female aspi
rants for literary reputation. These articles
are pleasant enough for chatty letters, bu
irrelevant and unsuitable for the journal tc
which they are sent.
Again, what responsibility rests upon thu
editors shoulders! What an amount of hard
and we may add, often Observation-Disclosures hi
has to perform! What with clipping, assert
ing and arranging matter for his columns
the writing of editorials, long or brief, com
piling items, etc., his life is not all sunshine
"Too long or too short, too dry or too gush!
too serious or too frivolous, too mucl
mixed or not enough SO, "-all these faults O
his journal he is obliged to hear croaked il
different tunes, but always in one key. Is i
wonder if he sometimes wishes himself en-
cased like box turtle, with the power t,
shut himself in his shell at will That Their
is another aspect to this life of an editor, ant
a brighter, happier one, let us be glad
Among the pleasant features of this brigh
side, the consciousness of having benefited
humanity in adding to its intelligence, it
comfort and happiness, to the conscientiou
editor-and it is of them we speak-must b,
a blessing. MARY @. BILLINGS.
DIR. w. @. GRAY, in his "Camp Fire
Musings" in the Interior of last week
writes terestingly of early Western lit
erature, mentioning the magazines thai
| annearad from time IN time in Cinoinpa f